Burning Man

It’s 100-plus degrees, and hot does not begin to describe how you feel, with the intense sun beating down in the middle of the Black Rock Desert. You’ve brought your own food, water, shelter and survival skills to rough it in the harsh Nevada terrain. Within the village, there are no stores – only a stand selling ice and coffee. Yes, you are here voluntarily. In fact you’ve paid $380 to camp from August 25 to September 1 alongside 50,000 of your newest friends. This is no cult; it’s Burning Man. Well, OK, so maybe it is a cult. Either way, it’s one of the most unusual trips you’ll ever take.

Founded in 1986 outside San Francisco with just 20 attendees its first year, today Burning Man is a meeting place where all socioeconomic professions and walks of life converge. For some, it’s a spiritual cleanse, for others a next-level party, but by most accounts, it’s an introspective time. As they say, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” That un-showered glitter king looking to barter a hug for some water could be a hedge fund manager from Tudor or a Silicon Valley multimillionaire. At Burning Man, you’re appreciated for your contribution to the experience (be it your art installation, massage skill or magic mystery tea) over your day job. Which is refreshing, to say the least.

The event has definitely become more mainstream in recent years – the luxury RVs in attendance are hard to miss. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Our Co-Founder, Sharmila, is attending this year, planning to scope out what we hope will be an epic Galavante trip next year. Because everyone needs to get weird sometimes.